Unnamed Thermal Spring
This unnamed spring in Sierra County produces 94-degree Fahrenheit water at 5,580 feet elevation, running 33.5 degrees above ambient air temperature — warm enough for comfortable soaking in cooler months. Located roughly 540 meters from the nearest road, it requires a short cross-country walk. No water chemistry data exists in available records.
The spring lies in the high desert foothills south of Truth or Consequences, where the Black Range transitions into the open basin country of the Rio Grande rift. Sparse creosote, yucca, and scattered juniper characterize the 5,580-foot landscape. Annual precipitation totals just 10.1 inches with 6.4 inches of snow, maintaining arid conditions year-round. Rocky washes and low ridgelines define the terrain, with minimal tree cover and expansive views across the Chihuahuan Desert grasslands.
A short walk of about 540 meters across open desert terrain with no established trail — bring a GPS unit and wear boots suitable for rocky ground. Visit between October and April for the best soaking contrast between air and water temperature. Summer air temperatures approach the spring's 94 degrees, reducing the thermal appeal. Kingston Campground along NM-152 provides a free first-come camping option about 12 km away. Carry all water and sun protection.
Recorded in the 1980 NOAA/NCEI thermal springs inventory without a formal name. The spring sits in Sierra County's geothermally active corridor, the same system that feeds the commercial hot spring bathhouses in downtown Truth or Consequences. No development, formal naming, or specific historical use documentation appears in available records. Kingston Campground, 12 km away along NM Highway 152, marks the entrance to the historic mining district of the Black Range.
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Small campground located along the north side of New Mexico Highway 152, near mile marker 40, near Middle Percha Creek, on the eastern edge of the small town of Kingston, NM.
this spring sits at 5,580 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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this spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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